Woman, 18, dies in hospital after group took ‘unauthorised control’ of loading vehicle in Southend

A woman who was seriously injured when a group of people took “unauthorised control” of a loading truck in Essex has died.

Essex Police said the 18-year-old woman, whose name has not been released, was taken to hospital after the incident in Southend on June 13 and later died.

Police attended the Chalkwell Park area at around 12.30pm last weekend after receiving reports of a group of people “controlling a small articulated loader without permission”.

It was stated that police officers supported the woman’s family and investigations are continuing.

An 18-year-old man from Westcliff and a 17-year-old boy from Leigh-on-Sea were arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and were bailed until September.

Police said there were “a large number” of young people in the area at the time of the incident and appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

On the day of the incident, a police spokesman said: “It was reported that a group had taken unauthorized control of a small articulated loader.

“The girl is believed to have been involved in a vehicular incident and suffered serious injuries. “Officers and ambulance crews responded immediately and cordon remains in place.

“Paramedics took the girl to hospital, her condition is critical.

“As part of our initial investigations officers arrested an 18-year-old man from Westcliff and a 17-year-old boy from Leigh-on-Sea.

“They are being detained on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.”

The two men were later released on bail.

Information can be reported anonymously via the Essex Police website, quoting incident 39 of June 13 or at crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111.